nickyt

Now I know the album I feel I can review it properly. First of all a confession (of sorts) - aside from Gareth, my musical obsession is Eurovision and so immense, catchy 3 minute pop songs are what I love most in life (well nearly!) I wasn't exactly thrilled when I heard about the new "serious" direction and for me Gareth is unlikely to ever top Anyone of Us, All Cried Out and Alive but after all my fears POTOS is immense! I think Changes was probably a mistake as the first single, given what else is on offer, but it's still great. However, tracks 2 - 5 are 4 of the best you could ever hope for. POTOS is wonderful, lyrically intriguing and was my fave live song at Hyde Park. Lost In You is a bundle of energy that demands a wider audience and then we come to 19 minutes. It's so haunting, moving and brilliant that it almost makes you want the pain of having just broken up with someone so that you can feel its power even more! It's my highlight of the album and I don't think any sceptic could deny the quality of it. New Kid In Town is also a fave and cracking, tuneful new Gareth stuff. Can't believe it's over is exceptional live and isn't as good for me on record but still a great song. Afterglow didn't really work for me initially but now I love it. Lyrically it's great and it does have a touch of the Coldplays at the end. Angel is fantastic and it's only hearing it so often that dulls its effect. I think Electric is great fun and whilst not as instantly loveable as others really grows. Talking Minds is my only disappointment - sorry Gareth! I feared he may get bogged down in seriousness, but he hasn't forgotten that it's the tunes that matter and POTOS is full of them. If we're being honest, most of us would love almost anything Gareth does, but this is an album that he and we can be proud of and play to our friends in an attenpt to convert them (although i may stop at track 9!) In true Eurovision style my points are 1 Talking Minds 2 Changes 3 Can't believe it's over 4 Afterglow 5 Electric 6 Angel 7 New Kid 8 Lost In You 10 Pictures of the other and finally 12 points go to.... 19 Minutes

Hello, Just thought I'd add my hyde park report from last week here- reminiscing already even though it's only a week ago! I did an all-nighter in London so had to sleep all day on Sunday (and manage an hour or two of overtime at work - the things we do for him! He was as magnificent as all the others have stated - 19 seconds and one other (the one about stars) were "epic" and very emotional and Pictures of The Other Side was immense too and well on its way into my top 5 Gareth songs ever, as may be Lost in You. I went to a few festivals in my youth and was a little concerned that there might be an element in the crowd who came to take the pee, but the large (much larger than I thought) crowd really did seem to enjoy it, and the fact that everyone and not just us fans were singing Spirit In The Sky unaccompanied really demonstrated how well he went down. It really did warm the heart! It was fantastic to see an almost proper gig and just makes me even more excited about a full post-album tour. I was the mystery man who caught the towel - I'm really sorry Khelda - had I known it was you I would have given it to you. i was going to keep it for myself but am glad I handed it over to the 2 girls as they were really excited. Also, given the drenching I got during Crowded House - gareth said he's never seen rain like it - it would have got wet through anyway! It was lovely of (I assume) Elaine to go over and wish him luck at the start. After he'd finished I saw him chatting backstage and then a man dressed as a big abominable snowman came and shook his hand and he had his photo taken with him. Elaine, Carol et al were waiting to meet him - I'll say hello next time if I see you again - and I joined the queue. Everyone was having their picture taken with him, so when I got chance I asked him if I could have a hug even though I didn't have a camera and he duly obliged. His face is so cute close up - his eyes are amazing. I told him I'd met him at GAY when he was there and he said it was nice to meet me again (he won't have remembered the first time at GAY 'cos he was hammered!) and, as you sometimes do in these situations, I got a bit bold and asked him (jokingly, dont worry!) if he fancied going to GAY later as it was football kit night and I'm sure he had an old Bradford one tucked away somehwere. He looked a bit confused at first, but then I think he realised I was only messing about and he said he couldn't come as he had to be up early in the morning for Something For The Weekend (on which I thought he was absolutely fantastic - it gave a chance for his witty, fun personality to shine through and I especially loved the bit about packet pancake mix). It was wonderful to meet him again and made the trip to London and Sunday's extreme tiredness well worthwhile.